Saudi women challenge driving ban

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apocalypse77

Junior Member
A group of women in Saudi Arabia is for the first time to lobby the kingdom's government for the right to drive cars.

Members of the Committee of Demanders of Women's Right to Drive Cars plan to deliver a petition to King Abdullah by Sunday, Saudi Arabia's National Day.

Correspondents say the demand is likely to be rejected, as conservatives argue if women are allowed to drive, they will be able to mix freely with men.

The issue of women driving has recently become the subject of public debate.

Two years ago, a member of the Consultative Council sparked a heated debate when he pointed out there was nothing under Islamic law or the constitution that justified the ban, and that the council ought to discuss ways of lifting it.

Mohammed al-Zulfa's comments later prompted the Saudi interior minister to dismiss calls for the ban to be lifted, saying the country had other priorities.

'Social issue'

The current driving ban applies to all women in Saudi Arabia, whatever their nationality.

It was originally unofficial, but became law after an incident in 1990, when 47 women challenged the authorities by taking their families' cars out for a drive.

After strong criticism from the Saudi religious authorities, the women were jailed for one day, their passports confiscated and many lost their jobs.

A founding member of the Committee of Demanders of Women's Right to Drive Cars, Fawzia al-Oyouni, said its electronic petition would highlight what many Saudi men and women consider a "stolen right".

"We would like to remind officials that this is, as many have said, a social and not religious or political issue," she told the Associated Press. "Since it's a social issue, we have the right to lobby for it."

"This is a right that has been delayed for too long."

King Abdullah has in the past said that he thought a day would eventually come when Saudi women were allowed drive.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7000499.stm
 

Southrn_Muslimah

bnqɯnɥ 'ɥɐq
:salam2:

Hmm I just read about this. I have always said I couldn't move to a country where I cannot drive. I don't know. People will probably have mixed opinions on this. I love driving and I can only depend on myself in my country to get to the store or to the masjid.

Sure it would be nice to take a taxi everywhere or have my husband drive but when there is an emergency a car is nice to have in the garage and for me to drive it :) I have seen plently of niqaabis drive and they do fine..so that excuse cant be used lol.


:wasalam:
 
Asalaamalikum,

In my humble opinion, women should be allowed to drive. This is not an Islamic issue. Saudi Arabia is embedding cultural laws. I just don't see how in this society and time people can travel without driving. You have jobs to go to, emergencies (i.e. sick person, funeral), food and groceries, going out with your family (i.e. vacation, parks) and much more.

Alot of times a husband/brother (or any person) feels too tired from work, has other things to do, or is not there to drive his wife/sister. What if the woman was divorced and single and even had kids - this is causing a burden rather than a solution for women!

It should be the woman's choice whether they want to drive or not!

And Allah Knows Best
 

dna1987

Muslim Guy
Yeah, my honest opinion is I would be happier if my wife drove to the dentist (for eg) by herself, rather than having a male escort driver take her there.

The Greek slave came to mind as I wrote the last sentence:
http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16199 (<- Click here so you know what I'm on about).

Also, if I injure myself seriously at home or something, I'd feel much better i
f my wife drove me to the hospital herself rather than some random.

Salam alaikum.
 

ama6621

Junior Member
Assalam Alaikum,
IMHO this is a foolish law. Any woman that might want to freely mix with men doesn't need to drive/not drive. Many people (esp. non-muslims) going by the Saudi law think that Islam does not allow women to drive when in fact this is only Saudi's law. How can people can really seperate culture from religion??

Assalam Alaikum
 

Noor to shine

Junior Member
:salam2: brothers and sisters:
I think that each country has it`s own concerns and we as a muslems should care about the real problems our world is suffering .....Our world is suffering from Shirk( directing hearts to other than the one who deserves), wars, unjustice, free sex, broken families , drugs, crimes...........many many (uncountable)problems .....more important than banning woman driving in Saudi Arabia .....I think each people can decide what is best for them but the westren medai is trying to focus on the saudi women because she is muslem and because she still represents the good values of Islam (Not driving will not make her less muslem) .......I know that Islam don`t prevent women from driving ......but Islam is very strict in drying all kinds of springs immoralities that our world is sinking in .....Please leave saudis to shape their lifes in the way they believe is better for them .And Allah knows best In our life there is important and most important let us start with the most important.
 
:salam2: brothers and sisters:
I think that each country has it`s own concerns and we as a muslems should care about the real problems our world is suffering .....Our world is suffering from Shirk( directing hearts to other than the one who deserves), wars, unjustice, free sex, broken families , drugs, crimes...........many many (uncountable)problems .....more important than banning woman driving in Saudi Arabia .....I think each people can decide what is best for them but the westren medai is trying to focus on the saudi women because she is muslem and because she still represents the good values of Islam (Not driving will not make her less muslem) .......I know that Islam don`t prevent women from driving ......but Islam is very strict in drying all kinds of springs immoralities that our world is sinking in .....Please leave saudis to shape their lifes in the way they believe is better for them .And Allah knows best In our life there is important and most important let us start with the most important.

Salaamalikum,

I understand what you are saying sister, but there is nothing in the Qur'an, that teaches us to "suffer" peacefully. Islam teaches us to be intelligent. Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone, and treat everyone equally.

TTI was created to help clear common misconceptions of Islam. Many Westerners actually think that Muslim women are not allowed to drive, which is wrong! I believe if we don't share our thoughts and opinions then we'll never come to a consensus and leave many things unanswered of our beautiful ummah.


"Verily, Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves" (13:11)
 

Noor to shine

Junior Member
Sure, You are right but sometimes we are dragged by nonislamic way of thinking to repeat what they say without putting the whole picture in our minds. We should struggle to promote the islamic values in our world first (taqwa, Higab, lowering gaze......modesty) This is more helpfull and more important for women in Saudi Arabia or outside ........Our World is under a big immoral pressure including (Saudi Arabia) .....In this time may be if women allowed to drive a doors of evil is opened (which is closed right now).....so we must be wise in considering things ....In Saudi Arabia now there is non-innocent movement which is trying to destroy the islamic values in our society and retain a westren style of conduct (no Higab, mixing men and women, no islamic restrictions ...........) they want women to be free (from islamic value and modest conduct) They ask for driving but not to help women but to use them in an immoral way. That is why I say we should be wise and never rush in any direction.......WE want things to change for better in Saudi Arabia in an islamic manner that serves morality.....we don`t want any westren example to be promoted in our country without reasoning .(sorry for my poor english) Allah knows best
 

BintMuhammad

New Member
Staff member
:salam2:

I personally agree with not allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia. Shock! Horror! .... because it has been that way eversince and I can't imagine the culture shock it would cause. Ofcourse, this is a nice idea if everyone 100% would be responsible and won't do stupid stuff should they be given the freedom to drive but I doubt that. Remember, NOT all women there are Saudis and Muslims! I imagine this would be such a big headache to the Muttawwa's (Religious police) It's fine how it is now, so I'd rather not take the risk. With regard to emergency, I remember my aunt driving another aunt to the hospital when no man was around the house and when she got to the hospital she just simply explained why she had to. The Saudi law enforcers are NOT that narrow-minded to punish you for breaking the law for an emergnecy, you just have to be honest and you'd be fine.

:wasalam:
 

BintMuhammad

New Member
Staff member
They don't want women to mix with men but then they have male chauffeurs, go figure!

:salam2:

That's true but the women don't sit next to the driver plus they wear niqaab and since the DRIVER-EMPLOYER relationship is implemented there is no fitnah to that Insha Allaah.

:wasalam:
 
:salam2:

I personally agree with not allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia. Shock! Horror! .... because it has been that way eversince and I can't imagine the culture shock it would cause. Ofcourse, this is a nice idea if everyone 100% would be responsible and won't do stupid stuff should they be given the freedom to drive but I doubt that. Remember, NOT all women there are Saudis and Muslims! I imagine this would be such a big headache to the Muttawwa's (Religious police) It's fine how it is now, so I'd rather not take the risk. With regard to emergency, I remember my aunt driving another aunt to the hospital when no man was around the house and when she got to the hospital she just simply explained why she had to. The Saudi law enforcers are NOT that narrow-minded to punish you for breaking the law for an emergnecy, you just have to be honest and you'd be fine.

:wasalam:

Asalaamalikum,

I'm having a hard time trying to understand your view.

1) What specific risks do they cause? Give some examples. If there's a dress code for women then how does driving create a problem?

2) Isn't it a headache just to get stopped and questioned for no reason, besides being a woman driving and explaining every time your case - wouldn't that make you go crazy?

3) Do you drive? Will you ever drive for personal reasons (i.e. work, groceries, etc). This would be a good poll to create.


All Praises Due to Allah and the mistakes are mine
 

BintMuhammad

New Member
Staff member
Asalaamalikum,

I'm having a hard time trying to understand your view.

1) What specific risks do they cause? Give some examples. If there's a dress code for women then how does driving create a problem?

2) Isn't it a headache just to get stopped and questioned for no reason, besides being a woman driving and explaining every time your case - wouldn't that make you go crazy?

3) Do you drive? Will you ever drive for personal reasons (i.e. work, groceries, etc). This would be a good poll to create.


All Praises Due to Allah and the mistakes are mine

:salam2:

1) What specific risks do they cause? Give some examples. If there's a dress code for women then how does driving create a problem?

*A lot and I'm not comfortable in specifying most here.

2) Isn't it a headache just to get stopped and questioned for no reason, besides being a woman driving and explaining every time your case - wouldn't that make you go crazy?

*It's not like you have emergencies all the time :D and when I say emergency, I meant life and death situation.

3) Do you drive? Will you ever drive for personal reasons (i.e. work, groceries, etc). This would be a good poll to create.

*Groceries are not an excuse. When I lived in KSA we did grocery that would last for a week or so. If we run out of something and no men is around, then there should always be a small store nearby. It's not like women are not allowed to walk. If there isn't a small store, then you'll just have to wait. It's not like it happens all the time.

Really, people are just looking for an excuse because they want something. If "driving women ban" is making life so difficult in Saudi Arabia then why has everyone survived since it was implemented?
 

aseel

Junior Member
assalamu alaykum,

I would not mind not beeing allowd to drive but only if:

-the person driving was a very good driver (I don't know what the death rate is or how there driving test is? )

-if there was a driver handy at all times (how much does it cost?)

-I would not feel compfortable being allone in a car with a man unless there is a screen seperating back and front ( is there?)


Appart from that I would not care about driving if it was organised in a good way, i do not see a probleme.


But I think if it is not islamic law it sould not be banned.


my hummble opinion, what do you think about the safety side of things???
 

shaz_1999

Junior Member
I cant belive they are not allowed to drive I love driving so much I put the Nasheeds up load and drive I just love it

The weird thing is my hubby to be cant drive so its good that I can coz I cant stand public transport
 
:salam2:

It's not like women are not allowed to walk.

If "driving women ban" is making life so difficult in Saudi Arabia then why has everyone survived since it was implemented?

ASA,

I think we're going to agree to disagree on this matter. Sure Saudi Arabia has survived and the Great Wall of China has still survived too, but that doesn't mean we have heard from the Saudi Muslim women and the rest our (non-Saudi) Muslim women and their views.

As silly as it may sound, everyone including women are allowed to walk, but how is that different from driving? Isn't there a risk in walking and aren't you still mixing with men on the streets? Everything in life has risks, but we live within the limitations according to the Quran and the sunnah of the Prophet (saw), NOT with cultural laws and customs! It's almost like saying we shouldn't be eating with spoons and forks. You can't find the answer to that in the Quran, but it's practical logic and I believe it's same with driving.
 

justmuslim

Junior Member
Asalamu alaykum



Ican't imagine myself with out driving a car and waiting someone to take me anywhere that i want. sure it's nice but not for me. i feel no freedom and can't do or go where i want not faire. anyway i just want to know if this applies to any women who lives in saudi arabia or just saudi nationality.
if applies to all women i guess saudi is not place for me to live,unless the law change or imra b/c i wanted to go after finishing school insha allah.
 

Muslimah-S

Seek The Almighty
Asalamualikum
I find that genderist.
Why can't woman drive in Saudi?
How will they mix with men if they drive? That's a pathetic excuse!
More mixing occurs in public transport, u literally have to brush against each other to have a seat or to get out.
If u call a taxi and u dnt have a mahram with u then ur on ur own with a non maharam.
Its thier own car either them or thier family will be in it.
I really from a woman point of view totally disagree with woman not being able to drive in Saudi.
I 100% are FOR the woman to challenge it, as they have a RIGHT to drive.
I think they want men to be only able to drive only, is as if they are trying to keep the womans down...
Sorry for any offence but that my veiw.
 
I did some further research and below is what I found. As much respect as I have for a scholar, I am still having a hard time agreeing with him because I don't see any direct evidence from the Quran or hadiths, alot of what he says are based on his own personal views.

Answer:
Praise be to Allah.

The rulings of sharee’ah are of two types:

1 – Those where the evidence of sharee’ah points to the ruling, regardless of various customs or what good or bad consequences may result.

In this case the ruling is fixed and does not vary from one place to another or from one person to another, unless a person is forced to do something, is sick or is excused, in which case the ruling is waived as much as required by his situation according to what it says in sharee’ah.

An example of such a fixed rule is the obligation to offer the five daily prayers, to fast Ramadaan, to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, to seek knowledge, etc.

Another example is the obligation for the Muslim woman to cover her entire body, including the face and hands. This ruling is obligatory and does not vary from one place to another.

We have already discussed this obligation in questions no. 21134 and 13647, where we quote the evidence for that.

2 – Rulings which are based on specific reasons, or where the ruling as to whether a thing is forbidden, allowed or obligatory depends upon whatever good or bad consequences will result from that, and where there is no shar’i evidence to suggest a fixed ruling that does not vary. The issue of women driving cars may come under this heading.

The scholars have issued fatwas stating that it is haraam because of the negative consequences that may result from it.

This applies completely to the land of the two Holy Sanctuaries. With regard to other countries, the matter should be referred to trustworthy scholars for they know their countries’ situation best.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

People have spoken a great deal in the al-Jazeerah newspaper about the issue of women driving cars. It is well known that it leads to evil consequences which are well known to those who promote it, such as being alone with a non-mahram woman, unveiling, reckless mixing with men, and committing haraam actions because of which these things were forbidden. Islam forbids the things that lead to haraam and regards them as being haraam too.

Allaah commanded the wives of the Prophet and the believing women to stay in their houses, to observe hijab and to avoid showing their adornments to non-mahrams because of the permissiveness that all these things lead to, which spells doom for society. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salaah (Iqamat-as-Salaah), and give Zakaah and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification”

[al-Ahzaab 33:33]

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed”

[al-Ahzaab 33:59]

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”

[al-Noor 24:31]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man is alone with a (non-mahram) woman but the Shaytaan is the third one present.”

Islam forbids all the things that may lead to immorality or accusations of immoral conduct made against chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity, and it has stipulated a punishment for that which is one of the most severe of punishments, in order to protect society from the spread of the causes of immorality.

Women driving is one of the means that lead to that, and this is something obvious, but ignorance of the rulings of sharee’ah and the negative consequences of carelessness with regard to the things that lead to evil – as well as diseases of the heart that prevail at present – and love of permissiveness and enjoying looking at non-mahram women all lead to indulging in this and similar things, with no knowledge and paying no attention to the dangers that it leads to. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge”

[al-A’raaf 7:33]

“and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy”

[al-Baqarah 2:168]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I am not leaving behind me any fitnah more harmful to men than women.”

It was narrated that Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The people used to ask the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about good things, but I used to ask him about bad things, fearing that I would live to see such things. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, we were in a state of ignorance (jaahiliyyah) and evil, then Allaah sent us this good (i.e., Islam). Will there be any evil after this good?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Will there by any good after that evil?’ He said, ‘Yes, but it will be tainted.’ I said, ‘How will it be tainted?’ He said, ‘(There will be) some people who will guide others in a way that is not according to my guidance. You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of others.’ I said, ‘Will there be any evil after that good?’ He said, ‘Yes, there will be people calling at the gates of Hell, and whoever responds to their call, they will throw them into it (the Fire).’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, describe them to us.’ He said, ‘They will be from among our people, speaking our language.’ I said, ‘What do you command me to do if I live to see such a thing?’ He said, ‘Adhere to the jamaa’ah (group, community) of the Muslims and their imaam (leader).’ I asked, ‘What if there is no jamaa’ah and no leader?’ He said, ‘Then keep away from all those groups, even if you have to bite (eat) the roots of a tree until death overtakes you whilst you are in that state.’” Agreed upon.

I call upon every Muslim to fear Allaah in all that he says and does and to beware of fitnah and those who promote it. He should keep away from all that angers Allaah or leads to His wrath, and he should be extremely cautious lest he be one of these callers to Hell of whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) tells us in this hadeeth.

May Allaah protect us from the evil of fitnah and its people, and protect this ummah from the evil of those who promote bad things. May He help the writers of our newspapers and all the Muslims to do that which pleases Him and may He set the Muslims straight and save them in this world and in the Hereafter, for He is Able to do that.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 3/351-353.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked: I hope you can explain the ruling on women driving cars. And what is your opinion on the idea that women driving cars is less dangerous than their riding with non-mahram drivers?

The answer to this question is based on two principles which are well known among the Muslim scholars:

The first principle is: that whatever leads to haraam is itself haraam. The evidence for this is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allaah, lest they insult Allaah wrongfully without knowledge”

[al-An’aam 6:108]

So Allaah forbids insulting the gods of the mushrikeen – even though that serves an interest – because it leads to insults against Allaah.

The second principle is: that warding off evil – if it is equal to or greater than the interests concerned – takes precedence over bringing benefits. The evidence for that is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit”

[al-Baqarah 2:219]

Allaah has forbidden alcohol and gambling even though there is some benefit in them, so as to ward off the evils that result from them.

Based on these two principles, the ruling on women driving should be clear, because women driving includes a number of evils, including the following:

1 – Removal of hijab, because driving a car involves uncovering the face which is the site of fitnah and attracts the glance of men. A woman is only regarded as beautiful or ugly on the basis of her face, i.e., if it is said that she is beautiful or ugly, people only think in terms of her face. If something else is meant it must be specified, so that one would say that she has beautiful hands or beautiful hair or beautiful feet. Hence it is known that the face is the focal point. If someone were to say that a woman can drive a car without taking off her hijab, by covering her face and wearing dark glasses over her eyes, the answer to that is that this is not what really happens when women drive cars. Ask those who have seen them in other countries. Even if we assume that this could be applied initially, it would not last for long, rather the situation would soon become as it is in other countries where women drive. This is how things usually develop; they start out in an acceptable fashion then they get worse.

2 – Another evil consequence of women driving cars is that they lose their modesty, and modesty is part of faith as is narrated in a saheeh report from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Modesty is the noble characteristic that befits the nature of women and protects them from being exposed to fitnah. Hence it is mentioned in a metaphorical sense (in Arabic), in the phrase “more modest than a virgin in her seclusion.” Once a woman’s modesty is lost, do not ask about her.

3 – It also leads to women going out of the house a great deal, but their homes are better for them – as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said – because those who love to drive enjoy it very much, hence you see them driving around in their cars here and there for no purpose, except to enjoy driving.

4 – You may find a divorced woman going where she wants, whenever she wants and however she wants, for whatever purpose she wants, because she is alone in her car, at any time she wants of the day or night. She may stay out until late at night. If people are complaining about this with regard to young men, then what about young women, going all over the place the length and breadth of the country, and maybe even beyond its borders.

5 – It is a means of women rebelling against their families and husbands; at the least provocation they may go out of the house and drive in the car to wherever they think they can get some peace, as happens in the case of some young men, who are able to put up with more than women.

6 – It is a cause of fitnah in many places: when stopping at the traffic lights, or at gas stations, or at inspection points, or when stopped by policemen at the scenes of traffic infractions or accidents, or if the car stalls and the woman needs help. What will her situation be in this case? Perhaps she may come across an immoral man who takes advantage of her in return for helping her, especially if her need is great to the point of urgency.

7 – When women drive it leads to overcrowding in the streets, or it deprives some young men of the opportunity to drive cars when they are more deserving of that.

8 – It causes fitnah to flourish because women – by their nature – like to make themselves look good with clothing etc. Do you not see how attached they are to fashion? Every time a new fashion appears they throw away what they have and rush to buy the new things, even if it is worse than what they have. Do you not see the adornments that they hang on their walls? In the same way – or perhaps more so – with the cars that they drive, whenever a new model appears they will give up the first for the new one.

With regard to the questioner asking, “And what is your opinion on the idea that women driving cars is less dangerous than their riding with non-mahram drivers?” – what I think is that both of them involve danger, and one is more serious than the other in some ways, but there is no necessity that would require one to do either of them.

Please note that I have answered this question at length because of the controversy that surrounds the issue of women driving cars, and the pressure faced by conservative Saudi society, which is striving to adhere to its religious commitment and morals, to allow women to drive cars.

This would be nothing strange if it were to come from an enemy who seeks to cause harm this land which is the last bastion of Islam that the enemies of Islam wish to penetrate. But what is even stranger is that this is coming from our own people who speak our language and live under our banner, people who are dazzled by what the kaafir nations have of material advancement and admire their ways which are devoid of any moral restrictions.

End quote from Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen.

With regard to countries in which woman are allowed to drive cars, Muslim women should avoid that as much as possible, for the reasons mentioned above.

In cases of necessity, such as helping accident victims or fleeing from a criminal, there is nothing wrong with a Muslim woman using a car in such situations, if she cannot find a man to help her.

There are other cases, such as women who have to go out to work and have no husband, father or guardian to look after them and no income from the government to meet their needs, and they cannot find work that they can do at home, such as some internet-based jobs, so they are forced to go out. In that case they can use the means of transportation that poses the least danger to them.

There may be some means of transportation that are available only to women, or a group of women may hire a driver to take them to work or university. Using taxis– for those who can afford it – may be better than using public transportation where a woman may be exposed to humiliation and aggression, so they should use taxis, so long as they are not alone with the driver.

If a woman is forced to drive a car in cases of extreme need, then she should drive wearing full jilbaab and hijab, and with fear of Allaah.

We have already mentioned above what constitutes need.

Women should also seek fatwas from the trustworthy scholars in their own countries – not those who are too lenient – who understand both sharee’ah and the situation in that country.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can”

[al-Taghaabun 64:16]

We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions.

Islam Q&A
 

Saifu deen

Alhamdullah..
:salam2:

I believe that there is no harm in women driving in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in the world. In fact there is less fitnah if the women drove the car by herself, than recruiting a driver for her (both men and women suppose to avoid being alone in a place with the opposite sex who isnt his/her mahram). If the main reason of banning women from driving is fitnah, then why many and many muslim women here in the west who drive, and leading careers and families at the same aren't intesresting in fitnah althought doors are open for anyone to committ sins.

If free mixing is that serious, then women won't be able to walk alone in the streets, buy her own grocery, picking up her children from the nursery and so on. If the idea is not to let women alone in the streets with mahram, then thats impossible, and in the case of women driving the car is much safer for her. In many muslim countries, even the women who isnt driving by herself isnt protected from male interference. Her driver isnt her husband or brother, and males wont respect that driver's presence as much as if the driver was her husband, brother, father, and uncle. The truth fitnah is still going one, while women aint driving, so whats the point of banning women in the first place?

I understand that anything prohibited is always desired by people. Therefore, women in Saudi Arabia were banned from driving and been told for years the reason for it was to reduce fitnah and free mixing, but if they decided to allow women to drive right now it may lead to a negative outcome. (Thats my opinion). Many people think that females are the only victims, but males are also victims. Evidently, Prophet Yusuf (allahi Al-Salam) choose prison rather than committ a sin, knowing that Prophet Yusuf (allahi al-salam) was very handsome indeed mashallah. So many men are victims of such an act, ''Ina kaydahona atheem''.. However, fitnah could occur whether women is driving or not driving. In fact, if she is driving she is safer from fitnah to some extent. but not from accidents that are caused when they are chased by males, and cause themselves and female drivers a horrific accidents for the name of fitnah. Finally, increasing religion education is the key, and not banning Allah (swt) blessings upon people, which is Halal alhamduallah. I think they should ban single men from entering shopping centres on certain hours during the during the afternoons and evenings, and ban women from driving themsleves.. (fait enough :) ). At least, for the world to seperate between cultural customs and islamic law.

:wasalam:
 
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